In the classic Roosevelt Road area approaching Union Station...what is the huge dark Pennsy Railroad building off to the right? No longer there I believe.
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If memory serves, a freight or merchandise handling facility. Another Pennsy roundhouse-like warehouse existed for freight handling at the Canal Street curve, where the Milwaukee Road exited Union Station. It was an ancient building designed for horse drawn teaming. It was at the tail end of the Panhandle Division of the Pennsy - a remnant of the 19th century. This spot was where I watched steam powered Milwaukee Road commuter trains, as a lad. Except for the trackage, all is gone, with brand new glass boxes having been built in their sted. All in keeping with modern, soulless blandness.
Thanks. Not sure how Northwestern Station escaped the protection of Historic Structures and was demolished.
Alas, all the historic stations in Chicago, including Union's headhouse were demolished (to be replaced by a dopey glass box). That included the beautiful B&O Grand Central (sadly the land on which Grand Central sat remains vacant, since Grand Central was demolished in 1970 - a real crime against architectural preservation). LaSalle Street has been modernized. Only Dearborn Street was saved, for non -railroad useage (thank goodness). The North western station, built in 1911, was pretty dingy to the un-nostalgic eye, so was ripe for replacement. Of course, that dinginess was part of it's charm, at least for me! Now long-forgotten, was that the earlier C&NW station was located where the Merchandise Mart sits today.
